The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) is one of eight universities that has been selected to participate in the 2024 Envision Resilience Challenge, a multi-university design studio and community engagement initiative that addresses the impacts of climate change in coastal communities. 

This year’s fall design studio will focus on the study sites of Portland and South Portland, Maine. It will convene community stakeholders and teams of graduate and undergraduate students studying architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and environmental science.

Lisa DuRussel (BS ’02, MLA ’06), an assistant professor of practice, and Mark Lindquist, an associate professor of landscape architecture, will lead SEAS’ involvement. They will spend the Fall 2024 semester working with the Portland communities to understand local challenges, researching potential approaches and proposing designs for how the coastal region can adapt to the impacts of climate change.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase SEAS’ cross-cutting approach to sustainability,” DuRussel said.

The Envision Resilience Challenge was developed by Remain Nantucket, an organization funded by Wendy and Eric Schmidt to support the local economy, community and environmental vitality of the island of Nantucket. Remain works to bring creative thinking to environmental and community challenges, elevate local industry and encourage innovation and resilience.

Read the press release.